In a game that was scoreless after one quarter and was still relatively low scoring to end the half, the Paso Robles Bearcats exploded in the second half against the San Luis Obispo Tigers, going on to win the game 56-35.

With the win, the Bearcats remain undefeated in the PAC 7 with a 4-0 record.

Paso Robles coach Rich Schimke said his offense had trouble finding its footing in the first half of the game.

“We left two scores at the one inch line in the first half,” he said.

The Bearcats took over on downs on their first possession but turned it right back to the Tigers on downs as they failed to move the ball forward. The Tigers gave it right back to the Bearcats when Travis Davis intercepted a pass from Dave Schultz. The Bearcats failed to take advantage of the opportunity and were forced to punt on fourth down.

The Tigers weren’t able to make anything of their final possession in the first, and the quarter ended deadlocked at 0-0.

The Bearcats started the second with the ball and this time didn’t waver as sophomore quarterback Thomas Bernal connected with wide receiver Brett Wise in the end zone from 11 yards out for the first touchdown. A failed extra point put the Bearcats up 6-0.

“We got the momentum going, and it kind of rolled from there,” Schimke said.

The Bearcats immediately added to that score when six-foot, eight-inch linebacker Mitchell VanDyk tipped a Tigers pass and teammate Trevor Marsano managed to hold onto the interception. Nathan Nelson burst through the Tiger defense for three yards for the Bearcats’ second touchdown and with a PATs from Ryan Bedell the Bearcats held a 13-0 advantage.

“It was tough in the trenches; their defense was very good,” Nelson said. “They came down hard, but our fullbacks came through and made the block, and I was just able to [carry the ball] in.”

Nelson had 108 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

The Tigers managed a touchdown, and an extra point to end the first half trailing the Bearcats, 13-7.

The Bearcats spent the third making up for lost time, scored on every possession and added an extra score off an interception that put them up 42-13 to end the quarter.

Josh Weferling brought in the first touchdown of the second half on a scoring run of 20 yards. Following a penalty that forced a second PAT attempt, the Bearcats opted to go for the two-point conversion instead and jumped ahead 21-7.

The next touchdown came from Bernal, who ran it in from 25 yards out. With the extra point, the Bearcats increased their lead to 28-7.

Bernal had 129 yards rushing on 12 carries, scoring two touchdowns. He also went 9-for-19 for 138 yards and a touchdown.

Bernal described his first varsity game against the Arroyo Grande Eagles as “nerve racking,” but this time came out with a calm associated with more experienced quarterbacks.

“Everyone just made me comfortable,” Bernal said of his offensive line. “We were struggling in the first half, but we turned it around, and we just played Paso football.”

Nelson said Bernal shined in his role as quarterback.

“He seemed like he’s a veteran quarterback now, he’s really taken to the role, and I think he’s doing a good job,” he said.

For the next touchdown, the Bearcats were forced to drive from their own 20-yard line, and it would be Bernal in again, but a penalty against the Bearcats called back the touchdown. That was short lived, as Bernal ran the ball in a second time, from 23 yards out, and this time the touchdown was good. With the extra point, the Bearcats were up 35-13 over the Tigers.

With three minutes left in the third, the Bearcats Robbie Boggs intercepted a Tigers pass, giving his team yet another touchdown opportunity. Two plays later, on a hand off to Nelson, the other a 37-yard pass to Wise and the Bearcats where within striking distance again. Weferling punched it in from 12 yards out, and with the extra points, the Bearcats ended the third with an impressive 42-13 lead over the Tigers.

The Bearcats started the fourth with the ball and added two more touchdowns before the night was over.

On a second and 12 on the 46-yard line, Nelson had the longest run of the night — 54 yards for the touchdown. Bedell’s kick was good and the Bearcats led 49-13.

One more touchdown from the Bearcats, a two-yard run from Andy Bridge, and two late game attempts at redemption by the Tigers ended the game, 56-35.

“I’m just really proud of the kid’s efforts tonight,” Schimke said. “It was a total team effort, and we have to heal up and get ready for a big win on Friday.”

The Bearcats host rival Atascadero Friday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. to wrap up league play.



Share on Facebook